Carjacking/assault suspect arrested at border

CHULA VISTA  A man accused of tying up a 57-year Chula Vista woman and stealing her car and ATM card was arrested Thursday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as he tried to cross into San Diego from Mexico, police said.

Police identified Velez as a transient. They said he was an acquaintance of the victim’s, and she let him into her home on Tuesday. He then threatened her with a knife, bound her hands and feet, and kicked her in the face, Wedge said. He got the pin number for her ATM card, used the card to withdraw cash, and then drove the car into Mexico, Wedge said.

The victim’s neighbors heard her screaming and untied her. She was bruised and also suffered minor abrasions, Wedge said.

Chula Vista police detectives issued an arrest warrant for Velez.

Velez was booked into jail on counts including carjacking, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and making criminal threats.